By Layla Jones
Stephen Mitnaul always knew he wanted to be an engineer. What else would a kid gifted in math and science aspire to? But it wasn’t until he was presented with a chance to work in a lab at his undergraduate alma mater, the University of South Carolina, that Mitnaul, now president of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), knew he wanted to study chemical engineering.
A South Carolina native, Mitnaul moved to Philadelphia nine years ago and works as a Senior Specialist for the manufacture of biologics at Merck and Company, Inc.
Pull Out: “I might be the first Black engineer someone meets and from that point on I am that standard bearer.”
NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community,” Mitnaul said. The local chapter echoes these goals and wants to help develop membership that represents the organization and profession as well. It hosts professional development, networking and community outreach events.
“I might be the first Black engineer someone meets and from that point on I am that standard bearer,” Mitnaul, 30, said. “I am that first impression.”
Cultural responsibility is more than just representing Black engineers well. Philadelphia poses asa unique environment for Black professional organizations, as professionals navigate a cityscape with booming industry and growth alongside crippling poverty, especially among people of color. The organization takes steps to address that, too.
“The challenge for us as a chapter is finding members and getting people involved,” Mitnaul says. NSBE held a walk for education as part of a national initiative. Members walked door to door in a selected Philadelphia neighborhood and gave out materials about higher education, skills and trade initiatives, and other opportunities. NSBE offers scholarships to graduating seniors and college students in STEM disciplines and participates in middle and high school panels. Last year the local chapter participated in the Philadelphia Science Festival which hosted several free events.
“Those are the type of things we do as a chapter to bridge that gap and let people know that if they stay in school, take their classes seriously and have a goal and drive, … it is something that’s possible,” Mitnaul continued. He added, “You can say, ‘Hey, Black engineers exist.’”
